Principal Formulation Scientist

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salary

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Paid time off

Access to advanced facilities

Conference participation

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking a Principal Formulation Scientist to lead advanced drug-delivery projects from concept through early development. You will design, optimize, and scale novel formulations for oral solids, injectables, and topical products, ensuring efficacy and stability.

You will mentor junior scientists, collaborate with analytical, process development, and regulatory teams, and drive projects in a GMP environment at our George facility, contributing to

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or closely related field.
• At least 8 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, focusing on novel drug delivery systems.
• Extensive knowledge of drug product development, excipient selection, and characterization techniques.
• Experience with analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA) for formulation analysis.
• Strong regulatory understanding (FDA, EMA, SAHPRA) for drug product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of pharmaceutical formulations for various dosage forms.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies including solubility, stability, and compatibility testing.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing formulations.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation challenges, proposing innovative solutions.
• Oversee scale-up activities from lab to pilot plant scale.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process development, and regulatory teams.
• Stay abreast of scientific advancements and regulatory trends in formulation science.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technicians within the department.
• Ensure all formulation activities adhere to GMP and regulatory guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharmaceutics / Chemistry or related field

Tools

HPLC

GC

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical company, is looking for an exceptional Principal Formulation Scientist to spearhead innovative drug development initiatives in George, Western Cape . This senior role requires a visionary scientist who can lead complex formulation projects from concept through to early-stage development. You will be responsible for designing and optimizing novel drug delivery systems, ensuring efficacy, stability, and bioavailability. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, a proven track record of successful formulation development, and a passion for scientific discovery. Joining our client means becoming part of a dedicated team committed to advancing healthcare solutions and improving patient lives. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical landscape from our state-of-the-art facility in George .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of pharmaceutical formulations for various dosage forms (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topical).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility testing.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing formulations.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation challenges, proposing innovative solutions.
• Oversee scale-up activities from lab to pilot plant scale.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process development, and regulatory affairs teams.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements and regulatory trends in formulation science.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technicians within the formulation development department.
• Ensure all formulation activities in George adhere to GMP and relevant regulatory guidelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• At least 8 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a focus on novel drug delivery systems.
• Extensive knowledge of drug product development processes, excipient selection, and characterization techniques.
• Experience with various analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA) for formulation analysis.
• Demonstrated success in leading formulation projects and bringing products to clinical stages.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA, SAHPRA) for drug product development.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead a team in our George -based laboratories.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of ZAR .
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Generous medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Paid time off and holiday leave.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities and equipment in George .
• Professional growth opportunities and participation in international conferences.